Collection: Chanel

Vetiver, patchouli, leather: the Chanel you rarely get to smell

Most perfume counters show you the same handful of Chanel bottles. The exclusive line is another story. Sycomore Eau de Parfum is a smoky, elegant vetiver. Coromandel Eau de Parfum is a plush patchouli softened with benzoin and incense. Le Lion Eau de Parfum brings amber and leather for cold nights. A Chanel decant is the easiest way to live with these for a week rather than sniffing a blotter. Decant Sample lists 24 Chanel references.

Six Chances, one family

Choosing between the Chance versions is a classic dilemma. Chance Eau Tendre is the soft, fruity floral and Chance Eau Fraîche is crisper and greener; a zesty grapefruit version, a recent addition and the two concentrations of the original complete the family. A 2 ml Chanel sample of each lets you compare them on skin over several days, not minutes. Bleu de Chanel and a few other mainstream names round off the collection.

Choosing a format

The exclusives are rich, so 3 ml is a thorough test and 10 ml a season. The Chance eaux are lighter and worth buying in 5 or 10 ml if you already like one. Every Chanel perfume decant is hand-filled from the original bottle and shipped from France; standard shipping is €4.95 and free from €59 in Europe.

Chanel decants: frequently asked questions

Chance Eau Tendre or Chance Eau Fraîche for summer?

Chance Eau Fraîche is the brighter, greener choice, with citrus and a crisp woody base that stays cool in heat. Chance Eau Tendre is softer, with grapefruit, quince and a powdery musk that feels more romantic. A 2 ml of each decides it in a weekend.

Which Chanel decant works for a man who finds Bleu de Chanel too common?

Sycomore Eau de Parfum. It is a refined, smoky vetiver with far more depth and far fewer people wearing it. Le Lion Eau de Parfum is the richer alternative for winter, all amber and leather. Try 3 ml of each before choosing.

How are Chanel samples filled and labelled?

By hand, in France, from an original Chanel bottle into a clean glass vial of the size you choose, then capped and labelled with the name and volume. The juice is untouched. Real reviews from previous buyers appear on each product page, and standard shipping is €4.95, free from €59 in Europe.